Ana Villafane

(Photo Credit: David Pascua)
It’s been almost 18 months since Dolphin and Open Road Films swam on into Wilmywood to begin production on Max Steeland we’ve been like, “Where is this movie?” Yes, we’ve been hearing nothing but crickets! The movie stars Ben Winchell as Max McGrath along with Ana Villafañe, Andy Garcia and Maria Bello. But finally we have our selves a trailer!!! It’s the Spanish trailer, but in English. If you remember, Mattel’s Max Steel franchise has a HUGE following especially in South America. So, I guess that makes sense. Anyone else SUPER pumped?! The new release date is Friday, October 21, 2016.

16 year old Max McGrath is discovering that he’s got a strange electric energy that emanates from him when he’s upset or excited, and it’s starting to grow beyond his control. With his scientist father dead and his mom Molly unwilling to talk about what really happened in the accident that killed him, Max is resigned to trying to fit in to yet another new school–where he finds himself attracted to the quirky, independent-minded Sydney and develops a friendship with an old colleague of his dad’s, Miles Edwards. But the most startling thing that happens to Max is the arrival of a small, crab-like alien named Steel, whose memory may be faulty but who knows one thing for certain: he’s there to protect Max, and he’s been sent by Max’s father.

Under the Dome heads back to the sound stages today, but you can spot them in Burgaw tomorrow.

Now, we have been waiting FOREVER for a release date for Max Steel which stars Ben Winchell as Max McGrath along with Ana Villafane, Andy Garcia and Maria Bello. Well, now I can tell you get ready to enjoy this super hero flick later this summer on Friday, August 28th Woo hoo!

The Longest Ride is doing decent at the box office. So far, they’ve earned $23,511,000 plus $6 million more internationally.

And did you spot what they wrote at the end of the credits? Thanks for posting this Ben Yemba! They were here during our big battle with our legislators and they felt our pain considering how much they loved filming here. I know director George Tillman, Jr. definitely knew! He really paid attention to what was going on around town and across the state. So, on behalf on the NC Film Crew, thank you Longest Ride Team!

And we gotta give major kudos to local actor Anthony Reynolds! He always gets in on the coolest movies! This time, you can spot him in the latest trailer for Fantastic 4! Congrats buddy!

Also HUGE DOUBLE congratulations going out to Jonathan Landau and the gang! First, their short film Pushing Buttons won Best Dark Comedy Short at Worldfest Houston this weekend! It stars Devin McGee and Meredith Jackson to name a couple.

Secondly, 14 years ago Landau made a 35mm feature film called The Last Summer. He says that over 1,000 local people worked on this film (including Britt Robertson, Muse Watson, Nick Searcy, and David Andrews). It is now available via Vimeo On Demand! It’s only $1.99 to check it out!

Happy Friday Wilmywood! It’s been a great week and let’s keep it that way! Here we go!

Under the Dome is everywhere today including 2 sound stages, Creecy Ave, One Tree Hill Way, Wellesley Place, Chestnut St., and they also head to Currie today.

Did you miss it? Actor/Director/Author Eriq LaSalle joined me on the Sunny Morning Show this week and of course I had write all about him for my weekly Community article for EW.com. READ NOW!

While he is here to direct episode 10 of Under the Dome, don’t forget you can meet him for yourself next weekend! He will be doing a book signing and reading, Saturday, June 14th at 3pm at Mayfaire’s Barnes & Noble. It’s for the soon to be released book 2 of 5 in his Martyr Maker Series, Laws of Wrath. And like I say in the article, if you love James Patterson’s Alex Cross series, you will LOVE this one, too. Make sure you tweet some Wilmywood welcomes to Eriq today!

Can we please give a HUGE happy birthday to the fabulous Lyndie Greenwood! Make sure to tweet her some love today! She will be celebrating as the Sleepy folks work on episode 3 of the new season! Sleepy Hollow is on Forest Hills Drive today.

More birthday kudos go to Michael Cera who was here just a couple of months ago for FX’s How and Why. He turns 26 today! Hopefully they will be heading back to WIlmywood soon!

And finally huge birthday hugs to our fabulous Max Steel leading lady, Ana Villafane who played Sophia Gardner in the flick which will be released in January 2015. She turns 25 today! Give her some mad birthday tweets!

HEADS UP: Our beloved Joey aka Katie Holmes, will be on Rachel Ray today! Make sure to check her out!

SATURDAY: For those who are in love with the Guy Harvey clothing line, he will be in Wilmywood TOMORROW! You can meet him at the Belk at Independence Mall from Noon to 2pm. Plus they are doing TONS of giveaways!

ICYMI: Alan Alda had been added to the fabulous cast of The Longest Ride. Alan will play the injured man, Ira, with the hot Jack Huston playing his younger self in the flashbacks. If you remember Alan was here in 1989 for Betsy’s Wedding starring Molly Ringwald. Welcome to Wilmywood Alan!

Perry’s Emporium has the exclusive NC Film Pendants in stock now! They also ship everywhere, so call them to order one or stop by and pick one up! Price: $39.95 Located at 2520 Independence Blvd in Wilmington 910-392-6721 They are open Tues – Sat: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm. I am wearing mine proudly!

LOOKING FOR THOSE FILM=JOBS STICKERS? Sunrise Broadcasting has a few. Feel free to stop by and grab one while they last at 25 N. Kerr Ave. (near the intersection of Market and Kerr across from the new Walgreens). Offices are open 8:30am-5:30pm M-F.

WE GOT MORE! Last time, they flew out of here in 24 hours! Thanks to Jed and the gang over at Image Monster, you can now pick up these fab stickers at the Sunrise Broadcasting, too! Film=Jobs folks! Spread the word!

That just about does it for me; I will have more Wilmywood updates for you Monday morning (unless something breaks) and every weekday morning we do “What’s Up in Wilmywood” at 7:30am & 8:30am LIVE on Sunny 104.5. And on Thursdays during Cape Fear CW‘s Primetime News at 10! Got Scoop? Email me: sheila_brothers@yahoo.com. Or message me on Wilmywood’s FB or on Twitter. You can also just post your comments below! Until then, that’s a wrap!!

Sophia drives her blue, rag-top wagon through the packed lot as the sun barrels down. Suddenly, Max races across her path on his bike. She slams the brakes and watches him go flying through the bushes. Sophia jumps out of her vehicle and runs to…

THE SIDE OF PARKING LOT

Sophia sees Max on the ground next to a tree. She leans over him, her necklace dangling, sparkling in the sunlight.

MAX’S POV –

Someone leans over him. His vision blurred.

SOPHIA

“Oh my God! Oh my God! Are you okay?”

Still a daze, his eyes begin to focus. It’s a girl. A beautiful girl.

END SCENE

Ana Villafane is that beautiful girl starring as Sophia in the upcoming super-hero flick Max Steel. But this isn’t your typical super-hero movie. Our hero Max McGrath played by Ben Winchell isn’t coming from a dark past. He doesn’t right wrongs based on vengeance. He is unknowingly a superhero from birth and he is out to save his family rather than the world. Max Steel, has been an animated television series for some time now, however this will be the first time we see it come to life in live action on the big screen.

The story revolves around 16 year old Max McGrath who discovers he has a strange electric energy that radiates from him whenever his emotions get the best of him and now it’s getting out of hand. He can’t control them. This doesn’t help as he is trying to fit in at another new school–where he finds himself attracted to the beautiful and unconventional Sofia (Ana Villafane) and develops a friendship with an old colleague of his dad’s, Dr. Miles Edwards (Andy Garcia). Perhaps Miles can tell him what his mother Molly (Maria Bello) is unwilling to talk about– what really happened in the accident that killed his dad. As if that is not enough to have on a teenager’s shoulders, Max is most startled by the arrival of a small, crab-like alien named Steel, whose memory may be faulty but who knows one thing for certain: he’s there to protect Max, and he’s been sent by Max’s father.

Producer Julia Pistor explains what made her choose Max Steel.

“I was drawn to the Max Steel story. I love super hero stories and I was really compelled by the story of Max and his father. He never knew his father and our film tells the origin of Max and how he connects with him. Not only does he (Max) learns that his father is an alien, but he really connects with him like a father and son. I’m drawn to stories that are family unification stories. I think that’s really important.”

That she is. Julia has a long history with family movies like The Spiderwick Chronicles, Charlotte’s Web and Lemony Snicket to name a few.

Producer Bill Dowd of Dolphin Films is also a fan of super hero movies and he wanted to make sure when Max’s story was told, it would be a film that the whole family would enjoy.

“I’ve been long time friends with Bill, so I know that he’s looking to make films that are a little more character driven and inspirational.” Julia says. “We loved the idea of making a movie that was a little bit outside of the system and a little more homegrown.”

Max Steel also isn’t the typical $100+ million action flick, either. There will be more of an organic feel to this one which is quite refreshing. And smart. They have already done quite well gaining pre-sales all over Europe and Southeast Asia, so it seems it should eliminate any financial fear and could possibly pave the way for a Max Steel 2 and who knows perhaps a Max Steel 3. That’s my own personal take on it however, nothing in confirmed along those lines. The feature is penned by super-hero writer Christopher Yost (Thor: The Dark World), directed by Stewart Hendler (H+) and the cast is top-notch. The two leads, Ben Winchell and Ana Villafane are both extremely talented up and coming young actors. Even though they just met earlier this year, they already have an amazing connection with each other and it shows on screen.

“Ben and I actually met for the first time at the chemistry read. I guess we had chemistry, because here we are!” laughs Ana Villafane. “He is great. There is no wall that needed to break down. He is authentic and hasn’t been tainted. There was no facade or pretending to be ‘cool.’ He was himself from the beginning and we hit it off right away.”

Ben Winchell mirrors those exact thoughts about Ana. She too is the real deal. The couple will be playing along side two of the most talented and prolific actors we know today. Andy Garcia being one of them .

“Andy is perfect,” says Julia, “because he can play the warmest, most handsome father figure character, but as we all know from Ocean’s Eleven and The Godfather, he can play a cold and ruthless character. There are not a lot of actors with that range. We (the creative team) are huge Andy Garcia fans. We are excited to get him.”

Maria Bello is another. Her range is just as exceptional. From comedy to drama, she can do whatever comes her way. This time, she plays off her motherly instincts as Max’s mom, Molly.

The film is being shot in Wilmington, NC which is a perfect fit as a location for their needs for such an organic, homegrown feature.

“We were planning production and all producers are drawn to places with tax incentives. We were going on a scout. We were going to go all over: Africa, Canada, Louisiana and Wilmington. Wilmington is the first place we went to on our scout. We got off the plane and went to the (Ideal) cement plant, we looked at houses for Max and we called LA and said, ‘We’re shooting it here.’ We didn’t evaluate any other place. Of course the tax incentives are fantastic! It’s so gorgeous here. The weather and the people are great. The locations are so diverse. The crew is so strong and experienced and so kind. It was just done.”

The Ideal Cement plant (also called the Roanoke Cement plant) has been transformed into Max Steel Headquarters and they expect a 17 day shoot for this location. If you follow director Stewart Hendler (@stewarthendler) on Twitter, you have already seen what an incredible job the construction crew and set designers have done. The plant closed many years ago, but it continues to be a favorite and prime location for many feature films and television shows including Iron Man 3, Revolution, Under the Dome, as well as The Crow and even Super Mario Bros.

“My husband and I call each other nicknames from Mario Bros., Julia laughs. “When I heard that Mario Bros was shot there, I thought, ‘This is fantastic!’ I tease him and call him Goomba. I feel like we should come here for our anniversary!”

Other locations include Hoggard High School, Downtown Wilmington and some private houses in Wilmington as well.

Ana is definitely glad they chose Wilmington as the location and she actually fell in love with the town and she didn’t even know it. “I’ve seen Natalie Martinez’s (Under The Dome/ Secrets and Lies) photos on social media and she is paddle boarding and going to great little cafe’s. I figured she was sharing vacation photos from Puerto Rico or something. I get here and realize she was in Wrightsville Beach and Carolina Beach!” There is so much space and it’s all lush and green. There is a very laid back feeling, but between the beach and the downtown nightlife it’s not boring. I’m really excited to explore.”

Expect to see Mattel’s first super hero flick in theaters in January, 2015.

HAPPY HUMP DAAAAYY my beautiful Wilmywood peeps! Let’s get you caught up with the latest!

FX’s How and Why is gearing up for a great shoot. They have some fabulous sets at EUE/Screen Gems Studios. It was a three week build and the stars have been trickling in as rehearsals are this week. Most of the pilot will be shot at Screen Gems, but you might spot them out and about sometime next week like at Roland Grise Middle School. They are running camera tests this week as they get ready for their seven day shoot which begins this Monday!

Mattel’s Max Steel in in their final week and prepping like mad! So glad to say that Ana Villafane has arrived safely and is already training and rehearsing along with Ben Winchell for the start of production next week. No down time for these young ones! The producers are trickling in too, so we can hopefully get a chance to welcome them in person! Bill and Julia, are ya listening? Writer Christopher Yost is heading back this way for the duration as well, so welcome to Wilmywood, Christopher!

Under the Dome is running two units today and running all over the place. They are shooting at four different locations: on Victoria Drive, Castle St, Chestnut St and at New Hanover High School. It’s a beautiful day for filming.

And OMG! Did you have any idea that Grace Victoria Cox and Mackenzie Lintz could sing like this! AMAZING LADIES!!! Check it out! Are you ready to come sing on my show?

Yesterday, Harlequin released the cover of our handsome NC boy’s, sorry let me change that, New York Times bestselling author’s next book, or as I like to call it, Jason Mott‘s next bestseller! The Wonder of All Things, is about, “a young girl who has the mysterious gift of healing and who suddenly finds herself having to decide how much she’s willing to give of herself in order to save the ones she loves most.” The Senior Editor Erika Imranyi is extremely proud of not only the book, but it’s cover.

I love the way they put it: “From critically acclaimed and New York Times bestselling author Jason Mott comes a spellbinding tale of love, sacrifice and the power of miracles.” Oh yeah, that’s hot!!

Just announced yesterday, EUE/Screen Gems Studios will begin their tours again and it all starts THIS WEEKEND! Very inexpensive, one hour long and it will be all things Dome. Okay, more than just Under the Dome, however, you will get to visit the sound stages! Woo hoo! GET INFO NOW!

We are nearing the 20th Anniversary ofThe Crow and Giant is holding a screening with a Q&A from crew members who worked on the flick. The event is this Friday night at 7pm. There will be wine & beer specials and it is absolutely open to the public. The event will benefit the UNCW Film Program & Cape Fear Indie Film Fest with the help of Fanboy Comics. Giant is located at 1200 N 23rd St – Suite 209. Call 910-200-9511 for more details or go to the FACEBOOK INVITE

SATURDAY NIGHT: Dress in your 1960s best and head on down to The Eclectic Etc (831 South Kerr Avenue) for a early evening fabulous party. Hang out with some great filmmakers, crew and some of the potential legislators who are pro-film! The 1960′s Cocktail Party begins at 6:00pm this Saturday. GET INFO NOW!

RIGHT NOW GET 15% OFF ALL WOMEN’S APPAREL NOW THRU APRIL 29TH! USE COUPON CODE: HEYMAMA IN OUR WILMYWOOD SPREADSHIRT STORE!

LOOKING FOR THOSE FILM=JOBS STICKERS? Sunrise Broadcasting has a few. Feel free to stop by and grab one while they last at 25 N. Kerr Ave. (near the intersection of Market and Kerr across from the new Walgreens). Offices are open 8:30am-5:30pm M-F.

WE GOT MORE! Last time, they flew out of here in 24 hours! Thanks to Jed and the gang over at Image Monster, you can now pick up these fab stickers at the Sunrise Broadcasting, too!

That just about does it for me; I will have more Wilmywood updates for you tomorrow morning (unless something breaks) and every weekday morning we do “What’s Up in Wilmywood” at 7:30am & 8:30am LIVE on Sunny 104.5. And on Thursdays during Cape Fear CW‘s Primetime News at 10! Got Scoop? Email me: sheila_brothers@yahoo.com. Or message me on Wilmywood’s FB or on Twitter. You can also just post your comments below! Until then, that’s a wrap!!

Hello and Howdy! Happy Earth Day to ya! And if you see fellow Wilmington crew member Shaun O’Rourke, make sure to tell him Happy Birthday!

Looks like our Domies will be filming in two locations today. The Burgaw Courthouse as well as in Currie. Now, we were chatting about this on Facebook yesterday as some more fun deets came out about season 2 of Under the Dome. Two things of note. I asked about this last season! Stephen King is known for having a cameo in every movie he has done. Sometimes it’s like Where’s Waldo, and sometimes he has a one liner. So, I kept an eye out for him last season, but to no avail.

Well, FINALLY this season, King will do his staple thang! He will be a townsfolk in the season premiere which airs June 30th! And secondly, here it is again: The Six Degrees of Wilmywood! Under the Dome‘s premiere episode is titled ‘Heads will Roll’ Coincidence? I think not! Speaking of Sleepy Hollow, production begins on its sophomore season in just 13 days!

The upfronts are just around the corner. That’s when we normally find out a lot of intel about our favorite Wilmywood shot shows and especially our new ones! Like ABC’s Secrets and Lies and Red Zone, which has been renamed Field of Play. All of our shows have a ton of competition, however, so we will be eagerly waiting on which WIlmywood shows make the cut! Check out the enitre fall pilot list from my homies over at EW.com

Woo Hoo! Our leading man for Max Steel, Ben Winchell arrived in Wilmywood over the weekend, and today his female counter part joins us here, too! A big Wilmywood welcome to Ana Villafane. But back to Mr. Ben. Marty has a specialty photo double need for Max Steel that will audition today or tomorrow! Here is Marty’s Post:

We are in search of a specialty PHOTO DOUBLE. If you look similar to Ben Winchell and are an EXPERT MOUNTAIN BIKE RIDER, please email your photo/contact info/bike riding experience. Contact Marty Siu Casting A.S.A.P. at: maxsteelextras@gmail.com with the heading BIKE RIDING PHOTO DOUBLE. The photo double rate is $150/10, and there will be a bump for bike riding. Must be available to audition with your bike tonight or tomorrow, and will work 2 days in our show, during the month of May. For more casting for Max Steel, visit Mary Siu’s Casting Facebook Page

So, I think I have most of your weekend planned for you! Ready for a fun exciting Wilmywood Weekend!??

Just announced EUE/Screen Gems Studios will begin their tours again and it all starts THIS WEEKEND! Very inexpensive, one hour long and it will be all things Dome. Okay more than just Under the Dome, however, you will get to visit the sound stages! Woo hoo! GET INFO NOW!

We are nearing the 20th Anniversary of The Crow and Giant is holding a screening with a Q&A from crew members who worked on the flick. The event is this Friday night at 7pm. There will be wine & beer specials and it is absolutely open to the public. The event will benefit the UNCW Film Program & Cape Fear Indie Film Fest with the help of Fanboy Comics. GIANT is located at 1200 N 23rd St – Suite 209. Call 910-200-9511 for more details or go to the FACEBOOK INVITE

Then get ready on Saturday night to dress in your 1960s best and head on down to The Eclectic Etc for a early evening fabulous party. Hang out with some great filmmakers, crew and some of the potential legislators who are pro-film! The 1960’s Cocktail Party begins at 6:00pm this Saturday.

LOOKING FOR THOSE FILM=JOBS STICKERS? Sunrise Broadcasting has a few. Feel free to stop by and grab one while they last at 25 N. Kerr Ave. (near the intersection of Market and Kerr across from the new Walgreens). Offices are open 8:30am-5:30pm M-F.

WE GOT MORE! Last time, they flew out of here in 24 hours! Thanks to Jed and the gang over at Image Monster, you can now pick up these fab stickers at the Sunrise Broadcasting, too!

That just about does it for me; I will have more Wilmywood updates for you tomorrow morning (unless something breaks) and every weekday morning we do “What’s Up in Wilmywood” at 7:30am & 8:30am LIVE on Sunny 104.5. And on Thursdays during Cape Fear CW‘s Primetime News at 10! Got Scoop? Email me: sheila_brothers@yahoo.com. Or message me on Wilmywood’s FB or on Twitter. You can also just post your comments below! Until then, that’s a wrap!!

Hippety-Hoppy Monday! Hope you had a great Easter/Passover weekend! I tell you what I am soooo done with the crappy weather. Seriously, moving to Tahiti if this continues! Okay, done venting, let’s do this!

Under the Dome will be running two units. They will be heading back to Chestnut St. today as well as running to Currie. Looks like CBS is back to do some cool interviews that we will I am sure before the premiere which will be June 30th! Our Domies are going to have a busy day!– Argh! Why can’t I work at CBS! I so wanna be there.

Our leading man Ben Winchell made it into town over the weekend as he gears up to play Max McGrath in Max Steel. His awesome counterpart, Ana Villafane who will play Sydney Gardner arrives tomorrow! Looks like the awesome producer Julia Pistor (Lemony Snicket/Spiderwick Chronicles/Charlotte’s Web) will be making her way back to Wilmywood as well for the Mattel flick.

They will be shooting at Indochine next week! Look at that, film supporting local businesses! Imagine that!

If you’re lookin’ to work on this flick, Marty Siu is looking for teens at the moment. Visit her Casting FB Page for all the deets!

There’s a big announcement from EUE/Screen Gems Studios and you will hear it first on Sunny 104.5 tomorrow at 8:30am. So make sure you tune in!

ICYMI: More cast has been added to the TV movie, The Sin Seer which will begin production at the end of this month here in Wilmington, NC. Earlier this week it was announced that Isaiah Washington, Michael Ironside, Lisa Arrindell Anderson and C. Thomas Howell signed on to the supernatural tale from Overflow Entertainment. Now it looks like this guy barely had time to wash his clothes and straighten up his kitchen before coming back to our Port City. Gregory Alan Williams who was just here for ABC’s Secrets & Lies, returns to play Rose’s father, Clarence Ricard. Also added to the line up is Angeline-Rose Troy who will play Abagail Landers.

They will be shooting next week on Shandy Ln, Princess St. and Anderson St.

Now all of this is great, but if we lose the film incentives, read my lips! WE ARE SCREWED! You won’t be getting the daily film updates because there will be nothing to report on! I have been hearing some things lately that are making me shake at the knees. We need EVERYONE to help! Have you contacted your legislators yet? If you work in the film industry, I am at the point of bitch-slapping you! We are fighting for 1000s of lives folks. Thousands of NC families! You think the incentives will pass with no help from you? You are sorely mistaken. Yes, we know you are busy, but take two minutes during your lunch break and do it! Your job is at stake here! Okay, apparently has some more venting to do! I am done…at least for now! CLICK HERE for who to contact in your district and DO IT TODAY! Wanna contact Pat McCrory? Please do!

LOOKING FOR THOSE FILM=JOBS STICKERS? Sunrise Broadcasting has a few. Feel free to stop by and grab you one while they last at 25 N. Kerr Ave. (near the intersection of Market and Kerr across from the new Walgreens). Offices are open 8:30am-5:30pm M-F.

WE GOT MORE! Last time, they flew out of here in 24 hours! Thanks to Jed and the gang over at Image Monster, you can now pick up these fab stickers at the Sunrise Broadcasting too!

That just about does it for me; I will have more Wilmywood updates for you tomorrow morning (unless something breaks) and every weekday morning we do “What’s Up in Wilmywood” at 7:30am & 8:30am LIVE on Sunny 104.5. And on Thursdays during Cape Fear CW‘s Primetime News at 10! Got Scoop? Email me: sheila_brothers@yahoo.com. Or message me on Wilmywood’s FB or on Twitter. You can also just post your comments below! Until then, that’s a wrap!!